Matt Cardle opens Burns Festival Sunday!

Matt Cardle opens Burns Festival Sunday!

Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but for Matt Cardle fans, it’s a winning number, as the talented singer and X-Factor winner has announced he will headline South Ayrshire’s13th Burns an’ a’ that! Festival, in Scotland’s Year of Homecoming 2014.

An annual tribute to Scotland's poet Robert Burns, the Festival features a ‘Weekend in the Park’ – offering two days of free music in a special music tent, plus a host of fun activities, held at Belleisle Park, Ayr. (Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2014)

Sunday 25 May will now be headlined by Matt, who had been scheduled to switch on the Ayr Christmas Lights in December 2013 but due to unforeseen circumstances was unable to attend.

He promised he would return at a later date and, true to his word, he’s taking time out from his 19-date ‘Porcelain Tour’ to perform at Burns an’ a’ that! – kicking off the second day of the festival’s Weekend in the Park in style, by playing a special acoustic set.

He said: “I’m so excited to finally come to Ayr and to be able to support the Burns an’ a’ that! Festival. I love Scotland and have always received such warm welcomes on my visits there.”

Matt takes to the stage at 1pm and the open tent provides lots of room for fans to watch Matt perform from within the tent and on the surrounding lawn. However, if the weather is bad the tent may be closed with only the first 500 people admitted –so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Matt will be followed by a unique blend of 20s and 30s frivolity from The Casablanca Steps, the much anticipated return of local legends Southbound and fiddle mashing with urban dance and rock grooves from Bahookie. An evening ticketed gig will feature Jim Diamond and band and popular singer Horse

Saturday 24 May also has a FREE line up including a perfect picnic vibe from The Easy Orchestra, local bands The Hostiles and The Colin Kennedy Band plus two great names of Scottish music – Altered Images and The Blow Monkeys.

A comedy gig will take place in the evening with the hilarious Keara Murphy’s modern parallel on the Burns poem ‘To A Mouse’ providing an outlook on life, love, loneliness and the need for Snickers bars.

Throughout the Weekend in the Park there will also be lots more attractions including a teddy bears picnic, the Fresh Ayr Buskers Garden, special Burns trails and arts attractions, Greenhouse Gass, The Burns Mobstars, Arts Market, Food and Drink and much more!

The Festival – which is supported by South Ayrshire Council and Homecoming Scotland – is an annual tribute to Scotland's internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns, celebrating the best of Scottish talent. This year it also forms part of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming and is sponsored by The Balgarth Pines with charity sponsorship from Children 1st and Festival Friday display sponsorship from Owen Kerr Signs.

Full details, booking information and updates are available on the Festival’s website at: www.burnsfestival.com and on www.facebook.com/southayrshireeventsfestivals

Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but for Matt Cardle fans, it’s a winning number, as the talented singer and X-Factor winner has announced he will headline South Ayrshire’s13th Burns an’ a’ that! Festival, in Scotland’s Year of Homecoming 2014.

An annual tribute to Scotland's poet Robert Burns, the Festival features a ‘Weekend in the Park’ – offering two days of free music in a special music tent, plus a host of fun activities, held at Belleisle Park, Ayr. (Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2014)

Sunday 25 May will now be headlined by Matt, who had been scheduled to switch on the Ayr Christmas Lights in December 2013 but due to unforeseen circumstances was unable to attend.

He promised he would return at a later date and, true to his word, he’s taking time out from his 19-date ‘Porcelain Tour’ to perform at Burns an’ a’ that! – kicking off the second day of the festival’s Weekend in the Park in style, by playing a special acoustic set.

He said: “I’m so excited to finally come to Ayr and to be able to support the Burns an’ a’ that! Festival. I love Scotland and have always received such warm welcomes on my visits there.”

Matt takes to the stage at 1pm and the open tent provides lots of room for fans to watch Matt perform from within the tent and on the surrounding lawn. However, if the weather is bad the tent may be closed with only the first 500 people admitted –so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Matt will be followed by a unique blend of 20s and 30s frivolity from The Casablanca Steps, the much anticipated return of local legends Southbound and fiddle mashing with urban dance and rock grooves from Bahookie. An evening ticketed gig will feature Jim Diamond and band and popular singer HorseSaturday 24 May also has a FREE line up including a perfect picnic vibe from The Easy Orchestra, local bands The Hostiles and The Colin Kennedy Band plus two great names of Scottish music – Altered Images and The Blow Monkeys.

A comedy gig will take place in the evening with the hilarious Keara Murphy’s modern parallel on the Burns poem ‘To A Mouse’ providing an outlook on life, love, loneliness and the need for Snickers bars. Throughout the Weekend in the Park there will also be lots more attractions including a teddy bears picnic, the Fresh Ayr Buskers Garden, special Burns trails and arts attractions, Greenhouse Gass, The Burns Mobstars, Arts Market, Food and Drink and much more!The Festival – which is supported by South Ayrshire Council and Homecoming Scotland – is an annual tribute to Scotland's internationally acclaimed poet Robert Burns, celebrating the best of Scottish talent. This year it also forms part of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming and is sponsored by The Balgarth Pines with charity sponsorship from Children 1st and Festival Friday display sponsorship from Owen Kerr Signs.

Full details, booking information and updates are available on the Festival’s website at: www.burnsfestival.com